Illini's Wes Lunt hits stride late for 28-17 victory

CHAMPAIGN — At halftime, as Illinois was struggling to shake Youngstown State with a one point lead in the season opener, coach Tim Beckman told Simon Cvijanovic to wipe the scowl off his face.

The offensive tackle changed his expression, delivered a motivational speech and the Illini accordingly adjusted their attitude and play, especially in the fourth quarter, to churn out a 28-17 victory in quarterback Wes Lunt's debut.

"I was pissed off," Cvijanovic said. "This is not how we practiced. This is not how we're going to play. I changed my mood and started getting guys fired up."

The Illini choose to focus on their bounce-back abilities in the fourth quarter after three lackluster and frustrating periods, when Lunt found his comfort level with receivers for three of his four touchdown passes.

Players doused each other with water and Beckman with Gatorade postgame. They sang in the locker room. And, they are starting the season 1-0.

"It's a (victory)," Beckman said. "It wasn't a pretty W. But it's our first W of 2014. I'm going to look at this game in a positive way."

To do that literally through game video would mean looking only at the fourth quarter, when the Illini refocused to outscore the Penguins 21-8.

Among Lunt's touchdown tosses in the period were the go-ahead 15-yard completion in the end zone to Josh Ferguson and the 29-yard game-clincher to Martize Barr with 2 minutes, 33 seconds to go.

Despite a slow start in which he admittedly forced a few plays and struggled to set his feet, Lunt recorded the best statistical debut by a quarterback in school history with 285 passing yards and the four touchdowns. He completed 24 of 38 passes without an interception.

After the Illini started the game conservatively, Lunt connected on some deep strikes, completing 9 of 11 passes for 155 yards in the fourth quarter.

“I was nervous,” said Lunt, an Oklahoma State transfer who sat out last season. “As the game went on … I got more and more comfortable.”

Offensive coordinator Bill Cubit credited Lunt for keeping faith in his young receivers, including freshman Mike Dudek who dropped an end zone pass before snagging an 8-yarder for a touchdown on his first reception. Cubit also praised Lunt for picking up on a blitz and completing the touchdown pass to Ferguson.

"He got better all the way through the game," Cubit said.

Illinois trailed 9-7 heading into the fourth quarter and fell behind again 17-14 with 10:57 remaining. Youngstown State outgained the Illini 380-363 in total yards and 203-78 in rushing yards.

After last season's debacle, Illinois showed some improvement on defense, holding the Penguins to just three field goals through three quarters.

But the Illini rather would focus just on the fourth quarter.

"I was proud of the way the sidelines (reacted) in the fourth quarter, the fight in this team," Beckman said. "There wasn't any quit. I'm proud of the way this team responded. We'll learn from the first three quarters."